Sash-type harness assembly

ABSTRACT

A sash-type harness assembly comprises a sash strap having detachably interconnectable portions and an apparatus engagement member fixedly attached to the sash strap. The end portions each include an interconnection structure for enabling the end portions to be detachably and adjustably interconnected. The apparatus engagement member includes an engagement hook portion configured for having an engagable portion of a wheel assembly of a transport apparatus such as a skateboard or scooter fixedly engaged therewith.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosures made herein relate generally to harness assemblies configured for enabling a person to manually carry an item and, more particularly, to sash-type harness assembly configured for enabling a person to carry an item.

BACKGROUND

Young people find great joy and excitement in riding hand-carryable transport apparatuses such as, for example, skateboards, scooters, skates and the like. They are known to ride these types of transport apparatus for hours on end. Invariably, whether it's to take a break or traverse an area where riding is not possible, there comes a time however when they need to carry the transport apparatuses. Currently, they hand carry such transport apparatuses. For example, skateboarders generally carry their skateboards either under their arm or, by grabbing onto one of the ‘trucks’ (i.e., a wheel assembly) of the skateboard. Carrying such transport apparatuses limits use of a riders hands and can cause physical fatigue. In some instances, a rider will place the skateboard between their back and a backpack that they are wearing. As the skateboard is not secured to any portion of the backpack, it has a tendency to unintentionally move around.

Therefore, a means for allowing them to conveniently carry such a hand-carryable transport apparatus on their body while freeing use of their hands would be advantageous, desirable and useful.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one embodiment of the present invention, a sash-type harness assembly comprises a sash strap having detachably interconnectable end portions and an apparatus engagement member attached to the sash strap. The apparatus engagement member includes an apparatus engagement portion configured for having an engagable portion of a transport apparatus fixedly engaged therewith.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a sash-type harness assembly comprises a sash strap having detachably interconnectable portions and an apparatus engagement member fixedly attached to the sash strap. The end portions each include an interconnection structure for enabling the end portions to be detachably and adjustably interconnected. The apparatus engagement member includes an engagement hook portion configured for having an engagable portion of a wheel assembly of a transport apparatus fixedly engaged therewith.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a sash-type harness assembly comprises a sash strap, a securing strap and a sash strap securing device. The sash strap has detachably interconnectable end portions and an article-receiving receptacle integral therewith. A first one of the sash strap end portions includes a first configuration of hook-loop interconnection material and a second one of the sash strap end portions includes a second type of hook-loop interconnection material detachably engagable with the first configuration of hook-loop interconnection material for enabling the sash strap end portions to be detachably and adjustably interconnected. The apparatus engagement member is fixedly attached to the sash strap. The securing strap is fixedly attached to the sash strap. The securing strap includes detachably interconnectable end portions. A first one of the securing strap end portions includes a first configuration of hook-loop interconnection material and a second one of the securing strap end portions includes a second type of hook-loop interconnection material detachably engagable with the first configuration of hook-loop interconnection material for enabling the securing strap end portions to be detachably and adjustably interconnected. The sash strap securing device is fixedly attached to the sash strap adjacent one of sash strap end portions. The sash strap securing device is configured for releaseably engaging clothing of a person wearing the sash strap.

These and other objects, embodiments, advantages and/or distinctions of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification, associated drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sash-type harness assembly is accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view of article-receiving pockets of the sash-type harness assembly shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

Referring to FIG. 1, a sash-type harness assembly is accordance with the present invention is shown and is generally referred to herein as the harness assembly 10. The harness assembly 10 includes a sash strap 12, an apparatus engagement member 14, a plurality of securing straps 16 and a sash strap securing device 18. As is discussed below in greater detail, the sash strap 12, the apparatus engagement member 14, the plurality of securing straps 16 and the sash strap securing device 18 are interconnected and interoperable for enabling a person to wear the harness assembly 10 on their body (i.e., preferably over their shoulder) while a hand-carryable transport apparatus such as a skateboard, scooter or skates are connected to the harness apparatus 10. In this manner, the person wearing the harness apparatus has full use of their hands and arms while carrying the hand-carryable transport apparatus.

It is disclosed herein that a sash strap in accordance with the present invention can be made from any number of different types of material (e.g., fabric, plastic, laminate, composite, etc). Preferably, the material would be durable enough to endure daily use and be flexible and/or compliant to allow the sash strap to be stored in a folded and/or rolled configuration. Furthermore, a sash strap in accordance with the present invention is not limited to being made from a material of a particular color or pattern.

The sash strap 12 has a first detachably interconnectable end portion 20 (i.e., the first sash strap end portion 20) and a second detachably interconnectable end portion 22 (i.e., the second sash strap end portion 22). The first sash strap end portion 20 includes a first configuration of hook-loop interconnection material 24 attached thereto and the second sash strap end portion 22 includes a second type of hook-loop interconnection material 26. The first configuration of hook-loop interconnection material 24 is detachably engagable with the second type of hook-loop interconnection material 26 for enabling the sash strap end portions (20, 22) to be detachably and adjustably interconnected.

The apparatus engagement member 14 is fixedly attached to the sash strap 12. The apparatus engagement member 14 includes an engagement hook portion 28 configured for having an engagable portion of a wheel assembly of a transport apparatus fixedly engaged therewith. For example, the engagement hook portion 28 is suitably configured for having at least one of a ‘truck’ portion of a skateboard, a wheel of a skateboard, a wheel mount of a scooter or and a wheel of a scooter fixedly engaged therewith.

The securing straps 16 are fixedly attached to the sash strap. As depicted, a first one of the securing straps 16 is adjacent the apparatus engagement member 14 and a second one of the securing straps 16 is positioned between the first one of the securing straps 16 and the first sash strap end portion 20. Each one of the securing straps 16 includes a first securing strap end portion 30 and a second securing strap end portion 32 that is detachably interconnectable with the first securing strap end portion 30. The first securing strap end portion 30 includes a first configuration of hook-loop interconnection material 34 and the second securing strap end portion 32 includes a second type of hook-loop interconnection material 36 that is detachably engagable with the first configuration of hook-loop interconnection material 34 for enabling the securing strap end portions (30, 32) to be detachably and adjustably interconnected. In this manner, the securing straps 16 are configured for securing a hand-carryable transport apparatus engaged with the apparatus engagement member 14 to the sash strap 12. It is disclosed herein that apparatus engagement member 14 may be omitted and the securing straps 16 are used solely to secure the transport apparatus in place.

Hook interconnection material and loop interconnection material (e.g., Velcro brand hook-loop material) are examples of two different types of hook-loop interconnection materials. In one embodiment, the first configuration of hook-loop interconnection material 24 is the hook interconnection material and the second type of hook-loop interconnection material 26 is the loop interconnection material. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the first configuration of hook-loop interconnection material 24 is the loop interconnection material and the second type of hook-loop interconnection material 26 is the loop interconnection material.

Hook-Loop interconnection material is one embodiment of interconnection structures in accordance with the present invention. Other embodiments of interconnection structures in accordance with the present invention include, but are not limited to, interlocking mechanical structures, a button and buttonhole, etc. It is disclosed herein that the present invention is not unnecessarily limited to a particularly type or configuration of interconnection structure for use with the sash strap and/or the securing straps.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the first configuration of interconnection structure (e.g., the first configuration of hook-loop interconnection material 24) is provided on a first face 38 of the sash strap 12 and the second type of interconnection structure (e.g., the second type of hook-loop interconnection material 26) is provided on a second face 40 of the sash strap 12. Alternatively, they may be provided on the same face of the sash strap 12.

The sash strap securing device 18 is fixedly attached to the sash strap 12 adjacent the first sash strap end portion 20. However, it is disclosed herein that the sash strap securing device 18 could alternatively be fixedly attached to the sash strap 12 adjacent the second sash strap end portion 22. The sash strap securing device 18 is configured for releaseably engaging clothing of a person wearing the harness assembly 10. The sash strap securing device 18 serves the purpose of limiting movement of the sash strap 12 relative to the body of the person wearing the harness assembly 10. Examples of the sash strap securing device 18 include, but are not limited to, a mechanical device such as a hook, a loop of hook-loop interconnection material, etc.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the sash strap 12 has two article-receiving pockets 42 integral therewith. As depicted, the apparatus engagement member 14 is positioned between the first sash strap end portion 20 and a mid-point 44 (FIG. 1) of a length of the sash strap 14 and the article-receiving pockets 43 are both positioned between the second sash strap end portion 22 and the mid-point 44 of the length of the sash strap 14. The article receiving pockets 42 and the apparatus engagement member 14 are both attached to the first face 38 (i.e., a common face) of the sash strap 12. It is disclosed herein that more than two or less than two article-receiving pockets may be integral with the sash strap 12. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to a particular placement of the one or more article receiving pockets relative to the faces (38, 40) and end portions (20, 22) of the sash strap 12. The article-receiving pockets 42 are embodiments of article receiving receptacles in accordance with the present invention. Other embodiments include, but are not limited to, pouches, containers and the like.

In use, a sash-type harness assembly in accordance with the present invention would be worn on either shoulder of a person. The sash-type harness assembly would be positioned such that an attached hand-carryable transport apparatus (e.g., skateboard or scooter) would be in front of or on the back of the person wearing the sash-type harness assembly. When there is more than one person travelling together, one person can assist another in attaching a transport apparatus to the sash-type harness assembly of another person. Thus, a sash-type transport apparatus in accordance with the present invention allows a person to be ‘hands-free’ as opposed to having to use their hands to carry their transport apparatus.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice embodiments of the present invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, chemical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of such inventive disclosures. To avoid unnecessary detail, the description omits certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

1. A sash-type harness assembly, comprising: a sash strap having detachably interconnectable end portions; and an apparatus engagement member attached to the sash strap, wherein the apparatus engagement member includes an apparatus engagement portion configured for having an engagable portion of a transport apparatus fixedly engaged therewith.
 2. The harness assembly of claim 1 wherein said sash strap end portions each include an interconnection structure for enabling said end portions to be detachably and adjustably interconnected.
 3. The harness assembly of claim 1 wherein a first one of said sash strap end portions includes a first interconnection structure and a second one of said sash strap end portions includes a second interconnection structure detachably engagable with the first interconnection structure for enabling said sash strap end portions to be detachably and adjustably interconnected
 4. The harness assembly of claim 3 wherein: the first interconnection structure is provided on a first face of the sash strap; and the second interconnection structure is provided on a second face of the sash strap.
 5. The harness assembly of claim 1 wherein the apparatus engagement member includes an engagement hook portion configured for having an engagable portion of a wheel assembly of a transport apparatus fixedly engaged therewith.
 6. The harness assembly of claim 1 wherein: the sash strap includes an article-receiving receptacle integral therewith; a first one of said sash strap end portions includes a first interconnection structure and a second one of said sash strap end portions includes a second interconnection structure detachably engagable with the first interconnection structure for enabling said sash strap end portions to be detachably and adjustably interconnected; the apparatus engagement member is positioned between the first one of said sash strap end portions and a mid-point of a length of the sash strap; and the article-receiving receptacle is positioned between the second one of said sash strap end portions and the mid-point of the length of the sash strap.
 7. The harness assembly of claim 6 wherein: the first interconnection structure is provided on a first face of the sash strap; and the second interconnection structure is provided on a second face of the sash strap.
 8. A sash-type harness assembly, comprising: a sash strap having detachably interconnectable portions, wherein said end portions each include an interconnection structure for enabling said end portions to be detachably and adjustably interconnected; and an apparatus engagement member fixedly attached to the sash strap, wherein the apparatus engagement member includes an engagement hook portion configured for having an engagable portion of a wheel assembly of a transport apparatus fixedly engaged therewith.
 9. The harness assembly of claim 8 wherein a first one of said sash strap end portions includes a first interconnection structure and a second one of said sash strap end portions includes a second interconnection structure detachably engagable with the first interconnection structure for enabling said sash strap end portions to be detachably and adjustably interconnected.
 10. The harness assembly of claim 9 wherein: the first interconnection structure is provided on a first face of the sash strap; and the second interconnection structure is provided on a second face of the sash strap.
 11. The harness assembly of claim 10, further comprising: a securing strap fixedly attached to the sash strap adjacent the apparatus engagement member, wherein the securing strap includes detachable end portions and wherein a first one of said securing strap end portions includes a first securing strap interconnection structure and a second one of said securing strap end portions includes a second securing strap interconnection structure detachably engagable with the first securing strap interconnection structure for enabling said securing strap end portions to be detachably and adjustably interconnected
 12. The harness assembly of claim 8 wherein: the sash strap includes an article-receiving receptacle integral therewith; a first one of said sash strap end portions includes a first interconnection structure and a second one of said sash strap end portions includes a second interconnection structure detachably engagable with the first interconnection structure for enabling said sash strap end portions to be detachably and adjustably interconnected; the apparatus engagement member is positioned between the first one of said sash strap end portions and a mid-point of a length of the sash strap; and the article-receiving receptacle is positioned between the second one of said sash strap end portions and the mid-point of the length of the sash strap.
 13. The harness assembly of claim 12 wherein: the first interconnection structure is provided on a first face of the sash strap; and the second interconnection structure is provided on a second face of the sash strap.
 14. The harness assembly of claim 13, further comprising: a sash strap securing device fixedly attached to the sash strap adjacent one of sash strap end portions, wherein the sash strap securing device is configured for releaseably engaging clothing of a person wearing the sash strap.
 15. The harness assembly of claim 8, further comprising: a sash strap securing device fixedly attached to the sash strap adjacent one of sash strap end portions, wherein the sash strap securing device is configured for releaseably engaging clothing of a person wearing the sash strap.
 16. A sash-type harness assembly, comprising: a sash strap having detachably interconnectable end portions and at least one article-receiving receptacle integral therewith, wherein a first one of said sash strap end portions includes a first configuration of hook-loop interconnection material and a second one of said sash strap end portions includes a second type of hook-loop interconnection material detachably engagable with the first configuration of hook-loop interconnection material for enabling said sash strap end portions to be detachably and adjustably interconnected; a securing strap fixedly attached to the sash strap, wherein the securing strap includes detachably interconnectable end portions and wherein a first one of said securing strap end portions includes a first configuration of hook-loop interconnection material and a second one of said securing strap end portions includes a second type of hook-loop interconnection material detachably engagable with the first configuration of hook-loop interconnection material for enabling said securing strap end portions to be detachably and adjustably interconnected; and a sash strap securing device fixedly attached to the sash strap adjacent one of sash strap end portions, wherein the sash strap securing device is configured for releaseably engaging clothing of a person wearing the sash strap.
 17. The harness assembly of claim 16 wherein: the first configuration of hook-loop interconnection structure is provided on a first face of the sash strap; and the second type of hook-loop interconnection structure is provided on a second face of the sash strap.
 18. The harness assembly of claim 16, further comprising: an apparatus engagement member fixedly attached to the sash strap, wherein the apparatus engagement member includes an engagement hook portion configured for having an engagable portion of a wheel assembly of a transport apparatus fixedly engaged therewith, wherein the apparatus engagement member is positioned between the first one of said sash strap end portions and a mid-point of a length of the sash strap and wherein the article-receiving receptacle is positioned between the second one of said sash strap end portions and the mid-point of the length of the sash strap.
 19. The harness assembly of claim 18 wherein: the first configuration of hook-loop interconnection structure is provided on a first face of the sash strap; and the second type of hook-loop interconnection structure is provided on a second face of the sash strap.
 20. The harness assembly of claim 18 wherein said at least one article receiving receptacle and the apparatus engagement member are attached to a common face of the sash strap. 